Video apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A video apparatus includes a memory in which image information denoting a moving image is recorded and a thumbnail creator that creates thumbnail information denoting thumbnails upon completion of recording of the image information in the memory. The apparatus also includes various types of user interfaces by which a user can designate frames of the moving image information for thumbnail creation.

RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

[0001] This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of ProvisionalApplication No. 60/31,870 filed Nov. 27, 1996.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] The disclosure of the following priority application is hereinincorporated by reference: Japanese Patent Application No. 8-246448,filed Sep. 18, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a video apparatus that reads movingimage information recorded on a recording medium, creates thumbnailimage information representing a list of the contents of the imageinformation, and displays thumbnails indicated by the thumbnail imageinformation.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] In recent years, light, small-size storage media having a largeamount of memory capacity have been offered for practical use. Inparticular, readily attachable/detachable storage media, such asmagnetooptical (MO) disks and high capacity disks such as those soldunder the trademark ZIP, as well as drives that access such storagemedia, have become less expensive and their use is becoming widespread.

[0007] Meanwhile, a high-performance video apparatus, which is toreplace an 8 mm video camera, has been developed which has highefficiency and a high degree of freedom in image editing when used withadvanced information processing techniques and can respond to variousdemands in practical use. Such high-performance video apparatus areknown as digital moving picture cameras.

[0008]FIGS. 12 and 13 show the structure of a conventional videoapparatus. The output of image pick-up unit 101 (e.g., a CCD) isconnected to the input of image processing converter 102. The imageprocessing converter 102, display 103, command unit 104, recording unit105, and main memory 106 are connected to the bus terminal of processor108 through common bus 107. In order to simplify the explanation, it ispresumed that the recording unit 105 is an IDE-type drive unit. Thecommand unit 104 has a recording button 104 a provided on the L-shapedcylindrical case of the video apparatus. The image pick-up unit 101 isprovided on the tip of the L-shaped cylindrical case.

[0009] Some of the processes performed by the video apparatus aredescribed hereafter, referring to FIG. 14. In the video apparatus withthis structure, the processor 108 monitors the contact state of therecording button 104 a. When the contact of the recording button 104 ais closed (Yes in steps S9 and S10), then image pick-up unit 101 isdriven through image processing converter 102 (step S11). The imagegiven by the image pick-up unit 101 is read (step S12) and is recordedas a file in the storage medium (hereinafter it is assumed that a MOdisk is used as the storage medium) attached to the recording unit 105,under the prescribed area management (step S13). In this context, acommand given in the closed state of the contact of the recording button104 a is referred to as a “picture recording command.” The process ofreading the image information given by the image pick-up unit 101 inresponse to the command and recording it on the storage medium isreferred to as a “picture recording process.”

[0010] When the processor 108 receives a command to display an image (NOin step S10 and YES in step S8) represented by desired image informationamong the image information recorded on the storage medium (hereinaftersimply referred to as a “display command”, which includes an identifierof the file in which the desired image information is stored) throughthe command unit 104, the processor 108 stores the contents of the filein a predetermined storage area in the main memory 106. The processor108 creates thumbnail information indicating single or plural thumbnailsby analyzing the contents of the memory area based on the format of theimage information (step S4) and supplies the thumbnail information tothe display 103 (step S5). Then, the one or more thumbnails aredisplayed on the display screen of the display 103.

[0011] When the processor 108 receives an image editing command (simplyreferred to as “editing command”) (NO in step S8, YES in step S7), itapplies an editing process corresponding to the command to the imageinformation stored in the storage area (step S6).

[0012] If the number of thumbnails which are to be displayed is too manyto display on a single screen, then icons used for a page feed commandor scroll command are displayed on the screen together with thethumbnails. FIGS. 15-17 illustrate possible examples of display screensand icons that could be displayed to facilitate review of manythumbnails. FIGS. 15-17 are examples and do not represent, to thepresent inventors' belief, prior art.

[0013] In the conventional technique described above, the thumbnailcreation process does not begin until a display command or an editingcommand is received with regard to the file in which the imageinformation for use in the thumbnail creation process is stored.Additionally, the thumbnail creation process is applied to all thecontents in the file collectively. As the size of the (imageinformation) file becomes large, the time taken for the thumbnailcreating process becomes longer. This often causes the display processor editing process corresponding to the command to be suspended for arelatively long period of time (i.e., while the thumbnail creationprocess is being completed).

[0014] Furthermore, generally, the larger the size of the file, thegreater the number of thumbnails, which then requires the user to searchthrough many thumbnails in order to locate a desired frame among thethumbnails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention aims to provide a video apparatus which cangenerate a list of the image information efficiently, while beingflexibly applied to various forms of actual use.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, a video apparatus has amemory means in which image information representing moving images isrecorded, and a thumbnail creating means that reads the imageinformation recorded in the memory means and generates thumbnailinformation representing thumbnails corresponding to the moving images.The thumbnail creating means begins reading the image information andcreating the thumbnails upon completion of recording of the imageinformation into the memory means. The thumbnails can be generated intime-series order, based on the format of the image information.

[0017] When the video apparatus is a portable video recording apparatus,the video apparatus can also include an image pick-up means thatoptically captures the image of a subject to generate the imageinformation, and picture recording means that records the imageinformation generated by the image pick-up means in the memory means.The picture recording means also can determine whether or not therecording has been completed. The thumbnail creating means includesmeans for reading the image information recorded in the memory meanswhen the determination result made by the picture recording means isaffirmative and for creating thumbnail information based on the readimage information.

[0018] Additionally, when the video apparatus includes an image pick-upmeans and a picture recording means, it can also include a task managingmeans that manages tasks (the tasks being, e.g., the picture recordingprocess and the thumbnail creating process including reading of theimage information by the thumbnail creating means) and a task startcontrol means that monitors the start and the end point of the picturerecording process through the picture recording means. The task startcontrol means assigns starting of the thumbnail creating process a lowerpriority than the picture recording process.

[0019] The video apparatus also can include a user interface by which anoperator designates a frame which is to be converted to a thumbnail. Insuch an embodiment, the picture recording means includes means forrecording in the memory means a mark corresponding to the framedesignated through the user interface, together with the imageinformation. The thumbnail creating means selects, as an object ofthumbnail information creation, a frame that follows in time-seriesorder the frame corresponding to the mark recorded in the memory meansby the picture recording means from among image information recorded inthe memory means.

[0020] The thumbnail creating means can select, as an object ofthumbnail information creation, a set of frames that correspond to anindividual mark recorded in the memory means by the picture recordingmeans, from among image information recorded in the memory means.

[0021] The video apparatus also can include a first user interface bywhich an operator designates a frame which is to be converted to athumbnail. The picture recording means includes means for recording in amemory means a mark corresponding to the frame designated through thefirst user interface, together with the image information. The thumbnailcreating means defines, as the subject for creating thumbnailinformation, from among image information recorded in the memory means,the frame that corresponds in time-series order to the tail end mark(i.e., the last mark) recorded into the memory means, by the picturerecording means.

[0022] The video apparatus also can include display means for displayingthe predetermined form of images denoted by image information recordedin the memory means. A second user interface is provided by which anoperator selects a frame from among the frames displayed by the displaymeans. The picture recording means includes a means for recording themark corresponding to the frame designated through the first userinterface, combined with the image information, into the memory means.The thumbnail creating means defines, from among the frames denoted byimage information recorded in the memory means, the frame selected viathe second user interface, in place of the frame corresponding to themark recorded in the memory means by the picture recording means, as thesubject for creating thumbnail information.

[0023] In the video apparatus according to one aspect of the presentinvention, the thumbnail creating means reads the image informationrecorded in the memory means and automatically specifies the lead of themoving images and creates thumbnail information denoting the thumbnailcorresponding to the time-series order of images from this lead. Thus,thumbnail information is reliably created even if no identifyinginformation for specifying the frame of the moving image denoted by theimage information is provided.

[0024] As a result, as compared to conventional examples in which thethumbnail information could not be created unless identifyinginformation is appropriately supplied by the operator, the operationaland applicational efficiency are heightened.

[0025] When the video apparatus includes the image pick-up means, thepicture recording means records the image information into the memorymeans, in conjunction with determining whether the image recording hasbeen completed. In the event that the result of this determination isaffirmative, the thumbnail creating means reads the image informationrecorded in the memory means and begins the process that createsthumbnail information from this image information.

[0026] In other words, the process that creates the thumbnailinformation begins in conjunction with the completion of picturerecording. Thus, the edit process or display process can be performedefficiently compared to the conventional examples in which this kind ofprocess had to be appropriately initiated at the time of editing ordisplay.

[0027] When a task start control means is provided, it monitors thepoint in time when the picture recording means starts or terminates thepicture recording process. At this point in time, the task start controlmeans causes the thumbnail creating means to start the thumbnailcreating process for reading the image information recorded in thememory means to create thumbnail information. The thumbnail creatingprocess is assigned a lower priority than the picture recording process.Task managing means manages the picture recording process and thethumbnail creating process as separate tasks. As a result, theseprocesses are performed in series based on the above order of priority.Thus, whenever the picture recording processing begins or ends, theprocess for creating thumbnail information from the image informationstored in the memory means is stopped or started, respectively. As aresult, when the picture recording process ends, the thumbnailgenerating process begins speedily, and, even when a subsequent picturerecording process starts before the thumbnail generating processfinishes, the generating process starts again at the point when thesubsequent picture recording process ends.

[0028] When the picture recording means records a mark corresponding tothe frame designated through the user interface, that mark is combinedwith the image information into the memory means. Also, from among theframes forming the image information, the thumbnail creating meansdefines the frame corresponding to the mark as the lead frame fromwhich, along with frames that follow in time-series order, the thumbnailinformation is created.

[0029] Accordingly, the thumbnail information is created only for thelead frame and the following frames designated via the user interface,not for all of the image information stored in the memory means. Ascompared to the case where thumbnail information is created for all ofthe image information, the amount of processing necessary to createthumbnail information is reduced.

[0030] In order to even further reduce the processing time, thethumbnail information can be created only for the frame designated viathe user interface.

[0031] As a further refinement, when the picture recording means storesplural marks corresponding to plural frames designated via the firstuser interface, along with the image information, in the memory means,from among these plural marks, the thumbnail creating means can createthe thumbnail information only from the frame corresponding to thetail-end (last) mark occurring in time-series order. That is, from amongthe frames designated via the user interface, the thumbnail informationis created only for the frame designated last in time-series order, notfor all of the image information stored in the memory means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention will be described in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements andwherein:

[0033]FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of the invention;

[0034]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of theinvention;

[0035]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a firstembodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 4 is an operational flow chart of a first embodiment of theinvention;

[0037]FIG. 5 is an operational flow chart of a second embodiment of theinvention;

[0038]FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the secondembodiment of the invention;

[0039]FIG. 7 is an operational flow chart of a third embodiment of theinvention;

[0040]FIG. 8 is an operational flow chart of a fourth embodiment of theinvention;

[0041]FIG. 9 shows the format of the display for the adding of renewedmarks;

[0042]FIG. 10 is an operational flow chart of a fifth embodiment of theinvention;

[0043]FIG. 11 shows one possible format of the thumbnails displayed on adisplay;

[0044]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a conventional video apparatus;

[0045]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conventional video apparatus;

[0046]FIG. 14 is an operational flow chart of a conventional videoapparatus;

[0047]FIG. 15 shows one illustrative thumbnail display;

[0048]FIG. 16 shows another illustrative thumbnail display;

[0049]FIG. 17 shows yet another illustrative thumbnail display; and

[0050]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a video apparatus according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] The present invention is applicable to a wide variety of videoapparatus that process digital moving image data. It is applicable toapparatus that record and display image data, as well as to apparatusthat only display (pre-recorded) data. Thus, the invention is applicableto, for example: a portable (i.e., hand-held) video apparatus (portabledigital video recorder) that records image data and displays thumbnailson its own built-in display; a combined portable digital video recorder(that may or may not have a built-in display capable of displayingthumbnails) combined with a host apparatus (portable or non-portable)that displays the thumbnails; or a digital video playback apparatus(e.g., a device specifically dedicated to digital video playback or ageneral purpose personal computer) that receives previously recordedimages (e.g., via a disk, a cable, a communications network (e.g., theWorld Wide Web), or a wireless link).

[0052] Typically, the moving video data is stored in a compressed stateaccording to, e.g., the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standards.Typically, each frame (of image information) is composed of two fields(due to interlacing), each representing half of a frame, with 30 framesbeing stored per second (in the case of standard television). Numeroustechniques can be employed to generate thumbnail images from compressedmoving image data.

[0053] A target frame is selected for which a thumbnail image is to begenerated. Then, sufficient information is extracted from the compressedmoving image file to form a thumbnail for the target frame. Since theMPEG format operates by discarding (not storing) repetitive information(e.g., from a series of non-moving frames), and only storing informationrelating to changes that occur in a series of frames (e.g., a series ofmoving frames), a complete, still image typically cannot be producedfrom the compressed data of a single frame. Typically, the data from aplurality of compressed frames is required to form a still image. Oncethe still image is formed, a thumbnail is generated from the stillimage.

[0054] For example, pixels are thinned out from the created still imagein accordance with the image size of the thumbnail image. When thethinned out image is inappropriate (e.g., poor image quality), thethumbnail image data can be created by performing a predetermined imageinterpolation process. The interpolation of the image includesconversion of the image size so as to eliminate differences in aspectratio, and the like. The created thumbnail image is stored in therecording medium in relation to the original moving image file. Thethumbnail can subsequently be displayed when desired on the displayapparatus.

[0055] This is just one possible technique for creating a thumbnail fromcompressed moving image data. The invention is applicable to othertechniques. The invention also is not limited to any particular type ofmoving image compression format.

[0056]FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention. In thefigures, items that have the same function and composition as the itemsdenoted in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, andrepetitive explanation is thus omitted. Points of difference incomposition between the present embodiment and the conventionalapparatus shown in FIG. 12 can be seen in that the FIG. 2 embodimentincludes a processor 61 in place of a processor 108 and a command unit62 in place of a command unit 104. Further, the command unit 62 includesa thumbnail button 63, shown in FIG. 18, in addition to the picturerecording button 104 a. As explained below, thumbnail button 63 is oneform of user interface by which a user can designate frames forthumbnail creation.

[0057] The relative relation between the FIG. 2 embodiment and the blockdiagram shown in FIG. 1 will now be provided. The recording unit 105 ispart of the memory means 11. The processor 61 and the main memory 106are parts of the thumbnail creating means 12, the task managing means 32and the task start control means 33. The processor 61, the main memory106, the image pick-up unit 101 and the image processing converter 102are parts of the image pick-up means 21. Also, the processor 61, therecording unit 105 and the main memory 106 are parts of the picturerecording means 22. Further, the processor 61, the main memory 106 andthe command unit 62 are parts of the user interface 41, the first userinterface 51 and the second user interface 53. Furthermore, theprocessor 61, the main memory 106 and the display unit 103 are parts ofthe display means 52.

[0058]FIG. 3 explains the operation of the first embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 4 is an operational flow chart of the first embodimentof the invention. The operation of the first embodiment of the inventionis explained below with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 18.

[0059] When the picture recording order is given, the processor 61, inthe same way as in the conventional apparatus, drives the image pick-upunit 101 through the image processing converter 102 and reads the imageinformation supplied by the image pick-up unit 101. Then, it records theimage information as a file in the memory medium loaded into therecording unit 105.

[0060] Further, the processor 61, in the above-described picturerecording process, determines whether picture shooting is finished bydetermining whether the contact point of the picture recording button104 ais open (step S21). When the result of this determination isaffirmative, the process is interrupted ((1) in FIG. 3). Furthermore,the processor 61 closes the aforesaid file (step S22). From the momentthat the process is interrupted in this way, the image informationstored in this file is used to create thumbnail information as describedbelow.

[0061] First, the lead of the region in which the image informationrepresentative of moving images is recorded is detected based on thefile format (Step S23). Then, processing is executed on the imageinformation stored in this region in the same way as in a conventionalapparatus to create thumbnail information (this process is referred tobelow as the “thumbnail creating process”) ((2) in FIG. 3, step S24 inFIG. 4).

[0062] In accordance with this preferred embodiment, within the imageinformation created by picture recording performed by the command of anoperator, the process of creating the thumbnail information from themoving image file is automatically performed. This process isimmediately activated upon the completion of picture recording.Accordingly, the available processing time of the processor 61 iseffectively utilized, and the editing and display processes ((3) in FIG.3) associated with moving image information recorded in advance in thememory medium can be smoothly performed.

[0063] A second embodiment of the invention is explained below. Thepoint of difference in the composition between the second embodiment andthe first embodiment of the invention is that it includes a processor 61a in place of the processor 61.

[0064]FIG. 5 is an operational flow chart of the second embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 6 is a figure explaining the operation of the secondembodiment of the invention. The operation of the second embodiment isexplained below with reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. The above-describedpicture recording process, thumbnail creating process, the editingprocess, and the display process are defined as tasks having prioritiesin this order. The processor 61 a performs task managing for these tasksby performing the appropriate activation of each task.

[0065] Upon receiving a picture recording order (Yes in step S30), theprocessor 61 a, in the same way as in a conventional apparatus,activates the picture recording process as a task (referred to below asthe “picture recording task”) (step S31 in FIG. 5, (1) in FIG. 6).However, when the picture recording process ends (Yes in step S35), thestate of that picture recording task is made non-active (step S32) inFIG. 5, (2) in FIG. 6), and the thumbnail creating process is activatedas a task (referred to below as the “creating task”) (step S33) in FIG.5).

[0066] The priority of the thumbnail creating task activated in this wayis lower than the priority of the above-described picture recordingtask; conversely, the thumbnail creating task has a greater prioritythan tasks such as editing or displaying. As a result, the process ofthe thumbnail creating task, in the event that it is not completed bythe initiating point in time of the subsequent picture recording, iscontinued following the termination of the process of the picturerecording task. In other words, if a subsequent image recording task isinitiated before an activated thumbnail generating task is completed,thumbnail creation is interrupted and made non-active, and thesubsequent image recording process is performed. When the subsequentimage recording process is completed, it becomes non-active, and thethumbnail creation process is resumed. Editing and displaying are notactivated unless recording and thumbnail creating are non-active.

[0067] Accordingly, in the second embodiment, the processing of theprocessor 61 a is more effectively utilized than in the first embodimentof the invention. Also, the time that the operator must wait, prior toperforming editing and display, for the thumbnail creating process toterminate, is shortened. In addition, restrictions are eased with regardto the timing of photographic shooting.

[0068] Further, in the second embodiment, task managing is performed bythe processor 61 a. The effective and reliable performance of this kindof task managing may be achieved through the use of software which doesnot need to be installed in the operating system of the processor 61 a.

[0069] A third embodiment of the invention is explained below. The pointof difference in the composition of the third embodiment is that it isequipped with processor 61 b in place of processors 61 and 61 a.

[0070]FIG. 7 is an operational flow chart of the third embodiment of theinvention. The operation of the third embodiment of the invention isexplained below with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7.

[0071] In the picture recording process, the processor 61 b observeswith a predetermined frequency the state of the contact point of thethumbnail button 63 (step S41). At the point in time when this contactpoint is closed, a mark is attached to the image information of theframe obtained via the image processing converter 102 from the imagepick-up unit 101 (step S42). Furthermore, in the processor 61 b, whenthe process of applying the mark in this way has been completed (Yes instep S43), the order is again awaited for the contact point of thethumbnail button 63 to be set and the same process is repeated below. Bythis process, one or more frames are designated for thumbnail creation.

[0072] When the thumbnail creating process is activated, the processor61 b first specifies the portion denoting the moving image, based on theformat of the image information, starting at the lead part of the imageinformation that is the subject of this process. Then, the mark isretrieved from this section by reviewing the information in time-seriesorder in which the picture recording was performed.

[0073] The processor 61 b, in the event that one or more marks have beenretrieved by this process, creates thumbnail information, with thesubject composed only of image information denoted by the marked frameand of a suitable number of frames following the frame corresponding tothis mark.

[0074] Because the frame sequence that is to be displayed by thumbnailsis reliably selected based on the plan of the photographer, as comparedto the first and second embodiments of the invention, the efficiency ofthe thumbnail creating process is further heightened.

[0075] Further, the mark need not be incorporated in the imageinformation. It may be stored elsewhere in available regions in thememory medium and associated with the frame (e.g., by pointers or byhaving similar header information).

[0076] In the third embodiment, a series of frames following the markapplied to each cut (in the contact state of thumbnail button 63) ismade the subject of a thumbnail creating process. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this kind of composition. For example, ifthe frames in which the mark is applied during picture recording, or theframes recorded preceding or following these frames in time seriesorder, become the subject of the thumbnail creating process, then theefficiency of the process is heightened.

[0077] A fourth embodiment of the invention is explained below. Thepoint of difference in the composition, between the fourth embodimentand the previous embodiments of the invention, is that it is equippedwith a processor 61 c, in place of the processors 61, 61 a, or 61 b.

[0078]FIG. 8 is an operational flow chart of the fourth embodiment ofthe invention. The operation of the fourth embodiment of the inventionis explained with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 8.

[0079] In the same way in the fourth embodiment as in the thirdembodiment of the invention, in the picture recording process, theprocessor 61 c observes with a predetermined frequency the state of thecontact point of the thumbnail button 63. At the moment when the contactpoint is closed, a mark is attached to the image information of theframe obtained via the image processing converter 102, from the imagepick-up unit 101.

[0080] However, when the thumbnail creating process is activated, theprocessor 61 c first specifies the portion of the moving image (based onthe format of the image information) from the leading part of the imageinformation that is the subject of the processing (step S51). Theprocessor 61 c then retrieves, from that portion, the tail-end mark inthe time-series order performed by the picture recording (step S52)(i.e., the last mark designated by the user).

[0081] If a mark is not retrieved (NO in step S55), within the retrievalprocess performed in this way, the processor 61 c, in the same way as inthe first and second embodiments of the invention, performs thethumbnail information creating process (step S53). However, if,conversely, a mark has been retrieved (Yes in step S55), thumbnailinformation creation will be performed, with the subject being only theimage information of the frame in which the tail-end mark is attached(step S54).

[0082] Even if, based on the plan of the photographer, the frame that isto be displayed as thumbnails for each picture-recorded cut is changed,the thumbnail information of the frame suitably corresponding to theresult of this alteration is reliably created. As a result, convenienceof application and the efficiency of the thumbnail creating process isheightened.

[0083] Further, in the fourth embodiment, the format of the imageinformation and the process applied in order to retrieve the tail-endmark in each cut is not important. However, as long as the storagemedium is random-accessible, a practical response characteristic can beensured. For example, the previously set marks may be successivelydeleted and replaced as subsequent marks, or an individual mark may bestored as a sequence of identification numbers representing the frames.

[0084] With regard to this kind of mark, in the event that retrievalprocessing is performed, with regard to the several cuts, either inseries or in parallel, for example, the identifier of the cut, or thetime when picture recording was performed, may also be included.

[0085] Furthermore, in the third and fourth embodiments of theinvention, a mark is attached to the frame designated by the operatorduring the picture recording process (using thumbnail button 63).However, the present invention is not limited to this kind of picturerecording processing. For example, with regard to display processing,performed in the same way as in conventional apparatus corresponding tothe display order (designation), as denoted in FIG. 9, a slide bar 201supplied for turning the page of the moving image, and a selectionbutton 202 supplied for setting the mark, may be displayed on thedisplay screen of the display unit 103 by the processor 61 c. When theselection button 202, operated in combination with the slide bar 201, isclicked (actuated), the mark is attached to the corresponding frame andprocessing may be performed associated with renewal of the mark. Thus,the mark can be applied (to designate frames for thumbnail creation)after original image recording.

[0086] A fifth embodiment of the invention is explained below. The pointof difference in composition between the fifth embodiment and the fourthembodiment of the invention, is that it is equipped with a processor 61d in place of a processor 61 c.

[0087]FIG. 10 is an operational flow chart of the fifth embodiment ofthe invention. The operation of the fifth embodiment of the invention isexplained below with reference to FIGS. 2, 9 and 10.

[0088] The processor 61 d, in the same way as in the fourth embodimentof the invention, displays the moving image denoting the imageinformation recorded as a file, in the format denoted in FIG. 9, on thedisplay screen surface of the display unit 103. Further, when theselection button 202 displayed on this display screen surface is clicked(Yes in step S60), the processor 61 d adds a mark (referred to below asthe “frame switch mark”), corresponding to the frame, to theabove-described image information (step S61).

[0089] Further, in conjunction with creating thumbnail information inthe same way as in the first four embodiments (step S62), the processor61 d displays thumbnail information denoted as thumbnails, in a formatin which the slide bar 201 and selection button 202 have been added, asshown in FIG. 11 (step S63).

[0090] Furthermore, corresponding to the operation of the slide bar 201,the processor 61 d switches over the thumbnails that have been thesubject of the display, and, when one of these thumbnails has beenclicked (Yes in step S68), supplies a focus to that thumbnail (stepS64).

[0091] When the selection button 202 is clicked while a focus issupplied to a thumbnail in this way (Yes in step S69), the processor 61d refers to the associated information, deletes the mark attached to theframe corresponding to that thumbnail (step S65) and creates thumbnailinformation for the frame to which the above-described replaced framemark has been attached (step S66).

[0092] The processor 61 d displays the thumbnail indicated by thisthumbnail information as a replaced thumbnail in place of the thumbnailfrom which the mark has been deleted (step S67).

[0093] Accordingly, in the fifth embodiment, the replaced frame isreliably set in a display process, for the frame determined by theoperator to be displayed as thumbnails in the picture recording process.

[0094] In each of the aforesaid embodiments, the image information isrecorded as a file in the memory medium. However, the present inventionis not limited to this kind of file, and the image information may bestored as a database having a predetermined format. Furthermore,although a single thumbnail was created for each cut in the embodiments,a plurality of thumbnails may be created with regard to any one of thecuts.

[0095] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, imageinformation is not displayed in the display unit 103, as long as it isnot particularly needed. However, this invention is not limited to thisis composition. For example, a frame used for picture recording may bedisplayed in real time simultaneously with the picture recording. Anyinformation having any format or content may also be displayed.

[0096] In the above-described first embodiment of the invention,efficiency in operation and application have been heightened, ascompared to conventional apparatus. Further, image editing or display isefficiently performed, as compared to a conventional example in whichthe process of creating the thumbnail information is performed only uponinitiation of image editing or display.

[0097] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the invention, even if asubsequent picture recording process is commenced before the thumbnailinformation creating process is completed, the process of creating thethumbnail information continues reliably from the moment that thesubsequent picture recording process has ended.

[0098] Further, in the third embodiment of the invention, as compared toa case in which all of the image information stored in the memory is thesubject for the creation of thumbnail information, the amount ofprocessing necessary to create thumbnail information is reduced.

[0099] In the fourth embodiment of the invention, as compared to thethird embodiment, the amount of processing necessary to create thumbnailinformation is reduced and flexibility is improved in the operationassociated with the selection of the frame to be the subject of thecreation of thumbnail information.

[0100] In the fifth embodiment of the invention, there is improvedflexibility in selection of the thumbnails to be the subject of displayor editing.

[0101] Accordingly, in the picture recording, playback, editingprocessing, and the like, applied to a video apparatus of the presentinvention, restrictions associated with the order or timing of operationare largely mitigated and the operation environment is improved.

[0102] Furthermore, as a result of the increase of surplus processingtime, the ability to achieve new added value has been heightened withoutchanging the hardware structure.

[0103] While this invention has been described in conjunction withspecific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention set forthherein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video apparatus comprising: a memory into whichimage information related to a moving image is recorded; and a thumbnailcreator that reads the image information recorded in the memory andcreates thumbnail information that corresponds to the moving image uponcompletion of recording of the image information in the memory.
 2. Thevideo apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail creatorcreates thumbnail information in time-series order, start with a leadportion of the image information.
 3. The video apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the video apparatus is a hand held, portable videorecording and playback apparatus that generates the image informationand stores the image information in the memory.
 4. The video apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the image information is pre-recorded inthe memory.
 5. The video apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thememory records, the image information in compressed, MPEG format.
 6. Thevideo apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an imagepick-up that optically captures an image of a subject to generate theimage information; and a picture recorder that records the imageinformation generated by the image pick-up in the memory and determineswhether or not the recording has been completed, wherein the thumbnailcreator includes a reader that reads the recorded image information fromthe memory when the picture recorder determines that recording has beencompleted and creates the thumbnail information based on the read imageinformation.
 7. The video apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an image pick-up that optically captures an image of asubject to generate the image information; a picture recorder thatrecords the image information generated by the image pick-up in thememory; a task manager that manages tasks, including the picturerecording and the thumbnail creating which includes reading of the imageinformation by the thumbnail creator; and a task start controller thatdetermines a start point and an end point of the picture recordingprocess through the picture recorder and starts the thumbnail creatingprocess at the end point as a task of lower priority than the picturerecording process.
 8. The video apparatus according to claim 6, furthercomprising: a user interface by which the operator designates a framewhich is to be converted to a thumbnail, wherein the picture recorderrecords a mark corresponding to the frame designated through the userinterface in the memory, and the thumbnail creator selects at least onesecond frame that follows in time-series order the frame correspondingto the mark recorded in the memory by the picture recorder, the at leastone second frame being selected from among image information recorded inthe memory and as an object of thumbnail information creation.
 9. Thevideo apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the thumbnail creatorselects a plurality of the second frames that correspond to the markrecorded in the memory by the picture recorder, the plurality of framesbeing selected from among image information recorded in the memory andas an object of thumbnail information creation.
 10. The video apparatusaccording to claim 6, further comprising: a first user interface bywhich the operator designates a frame which is to be converted to athumbnail, wherein the picture recorder records a mark corresponding tothe frame designated through the first user interface in the memory, andthe thumbnail creator defines, from among image information recorded inthe memory, a frame that corresponds to a last mark recorded into thememory by the picture recorder in time-series order, as the subject forcreating thumbnail information.
 11. The video apparatus according toclaim 6, further comprising: a first user interface by which theoperator designates a frame to be converted into a thumbnail; a displayfor displaying images denoted by image information recorded in thememory; and a second user interface by which the operator selects oneframe from among the frames displayed by the display, wherein thepicture recorder records a mark corresponding to the frame designatedthrough the first user interface into the memory, and the thumbnailcreator defines, from among the frames denoted by image informationrecorded in the memory, the frame selected via the second userinterface, in place of the frame corresponding to the mark recorded inthe memory by the picture recorder, as the subject for creatingthumbnail information.
 12. A video apparatus comprising: memory meansfor storing image information related to a moving image; and thumbnailcreating means for reading the image information recorded in the memorymeans and creating thumbnail information that corresponds to the movingimages upon completion of storing of the image information in the memorymeans.
 13. The video apparatus according to claim 12, wherein thethumbnail creating means creates thumbnail information in time-seriesorder starting with a lead portion of the image information.
 14. Thevideo apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the video apparatus is ahand-held, portable video recording and playback apparatus thatgenerates the image information and stores the image information in thememory means.
 15. The video apparatus according to claim 12, furthercomprising: imaging means for converting an optical image of a subjectinto the image information; and picture recording means for recordingthe image information generated by the imaging means in the memory meansand determining whether or not the recording has been completed, whereinthe thumbnail creating means includes means for reading the recordedimage information from the memory means when the picture recording meansdetermines that recording has been completed and for creating thethumbnail information based on the read image information.
 16. The videoapparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: imaging means forconverting an optical image of a subject into the image information;picture recording means for performing a picture recording process forrecording the image information generated by the imaging means in thememory means; task management means for managing tasks including thepicture recording process and the thumbnail creating process, whichincludes reading of the image information by the thumbnail creatingmeans; and task start control means for determining a start point and anend point of the picture recording process through the picture recordingmeans and starting the thumbnail creating process at the end point as atask of lower priority than the picture recording process.
 17. The videoapparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: designating meansfor allowing an operator to designate a frame which is to be convertedto a thumbnail, wherein the picture recording means includes means forrecording a mark corresponding to the frame designated through thedesignating means in the memory means, and the thumbnail creating meansselects at least one second frame that follows in time-series order theframe corresponding to the mark recorded in the memory means by thepicture recording means, the at least one second frame being selectedfrom among image information recorded in the memory means and as anobject of thumbnail information creation.
 18. The video apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein: the thumbnail creating means selects aplurality of the second frames that correspond to the mark recorded inthe memory means by the picture recording means, the plurality of framesbeing selected from among image information recorded in the memory meansand as an object of thumbnail information creation.
 19. The videoapparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: first designatingmeans for allowing an operator to designate a frame which is to beconverted to a thumbnail, wherein the picture recording means includesmeans for recording a mark corresponding to the frame designated throughthe first designating means in the memory means, and the thumbnailcreating means defines, from among image information recorded in thememory means, a frame that corresponds to a last mark recorded into thememory means by the picture recording means in time-series order, as thesubject for creating thumbnail information.
 20. The video apparatusaccording to claim 15, further comprising: first designating means forallowing an operator to designate a frame to be converted into athumbnail; display means for displaying images denoted by imageinformation recorded in the memory means; and second designating meansfor allowing the operator to select one frame from among the framescomposed of images displayed by the display means, wherein the picturerecording means includes means for recording a mark corresponding to theframe designated through the first designating means into the memorymeans, and the thumbnail creating means defines, from among the framesdenoted by image information recorded in the memory means, the frameselected via the second designating means, in place of the framecorresponding to the mark recorded in the memory means by the picturerecording means, as the subject for creating thumbnail information. 21.A method of creating thumbnails, comprising the steps of: storing imageinformation representing moving images in a memory; and initiatingthumbnail information creation by reading the stored image informationfrom the memory immediately upon completion of the storing step.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the thumbnail information indicatesthumbnails in time-series order starting with a lead portion of thestored image information.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein thestoring step is performed by a hand-held, portable video recordingapparatus.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hand-held, portablevideo recording device also performs the step of thumbnail informationcreation.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:optically capturing the image of a subject to generate the imageinformation; recording the generated image information in the memory;and determining whether or not the recording has been completed, whereinthe thumbnail information creation is initiated when it is determinedthat recording has been completed.
 26. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising the steps of: optically capturing the image of a subject togenerate the image information; performing a picture recording processfor recording the generated image information in the memory; managingtasks including the picture recording process and the thumbnailinformation creation process; determining the start and end points ofthe picture recording process; and starting the thumbnail creatingprocess at the end point as a task of lower priority than the picturerecording process.
 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising thesteps of: designating a frame which is to be converted to a thumbnail;recording, in the memory, a mark corresponding to the designated frame;and selecting at least one second frame that follows in time-seriesorder the designated frame corresponding to the recorded mark, the atleast one second frame being selected from among image informationrecorded and as an object of thumbnail information creation.
 28. Themethod of claim 27, wherein: a plurality of the second frames thatcorrespond to the recorded mark are selected, the plurality of framesbeing selected from among image information recorded and as an object ofthumbnail information creation.
 29. The method of claim 25, furthercomprising the steps of: designating a frame which is to be converted toa thumbnail; recording, in the memory, a mark corresponding to thedesignated frame; and defining, from among recorded image information, aframe that corresponds to a last mark recorded in time-series order, asthe subject for creating thumbnail information.
 30. The method of claim25, further comprising the steps of: designating a frame to be convertedinto a thumbnail; displaying images denoted by recorded imageinformation; selecting one frame from among the frames composed ofdisplayed images; recording a mark corresponding to the designatedframe; and defining, from among the frames denoted by recorded imageinformation, the selected frame in place of the frame corresponding tothe recorded mark, as the subject for creating thumbnail information.